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Author Choosing a digital SLR camera - Help please!
Kerry
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Registered: 5th Oct 01
Location: Norwich
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28th Aug 06 at 20:16   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

As I know nothing at all and dont know where to start in making the choice!!

What are the best brands and what are the best models within a brand?

I dont want anything too fancy I just want to be able to take good pictures and have good quality when zoomed and I dont want a camera that uses a film.

Thanks
EtHi
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Registered: 2nd Jan 05
Location: Northumberland
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28th Aug 06 at 22:34   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

canon or nikon, have a look at the canon eos350d or the nikon d50
Ian
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Registered: 28th Aug 99
Location: Liverpool
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28th Aug 06 at 23:23   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by Kerry
good quality when zoomed
This is the lens not the body. Whatever you buy you'll need a telephoto lens. With SLR the magnification is done in the lens, optical zoom, which you will also find on regular digicams.

This is the Canon 70-200mm zoom - f4 aperture which means its not so bright, but perfectly fine for outdoor stuff.

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s22119/0/Lenses/Canon/EF-70-200mm-f-and-40-L-USM-Lens/details.aspx

This is the f2.8 IS version, which has a wider aperture which lets more light in so you can go faster on the shutter speed, so it'll be less prone to blurring in low light, plus the IS helps with camera shake.

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s17662/0/Lenses/Canon/EF-70-200mm-F28-L-USM-Image-Stabiliser/details.aspx

Will help with long distance still stuff like wildlife, but not really motorsport as generally you'll get a nicer picture introducing a bit of blur anyway, especially in panning shots.

Might also be worth considering a package like this one

http://www.jessops.com/Store/s29858/0/Digital-SLRs/Canon/EOS-350D-Silver-%2b-18-55mm-USM-LENS-%2b-Sigma-55-200mm-Lens-%2b-Bag/details.aspx

This also has a 200mm lens in, so same distance, but that lens is at f5.6 at 200mm, which is not very light, so perhaps blurry. Cheaper though.

[Edited on 28-08-2006 by Ian]
Kerry
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29th Aug 06 at 07:59   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Thanks for the info

Looks like Canon is the favourite

Thank I might get myself on a course and learn a bit more
James
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Registered: 1st Jun 02
Location: Surrey
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29th Aug 06 at 08:28   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Ian whats the story with being a lens second hand? Worth it or not?

My 350D comes today and ive only got the standard lens at the moment but I might be looking to upgrade in the near future
John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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29th Aug 06 at 18:31   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

If the lens is in good condition there is no reason not to buy it second hand.
Price dependant of course.
rich_cooper
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Registered: 11th Jun 06
Location: Mansfield
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29th Aug 06 at 20:22   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

the 350D should be coming down in price due to its upgrade being released next month
Ian
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29th Aug 06 at 23:47   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

All my stuff is second hand, its a far wiser purchase as once the lens is no longer shop fresh it'll be worth perhaps 60% of rrp, but then they don't drop much after that.

I paid £900 for my 70-200 2.8 IS, they're still making 700-800 now four years later, and thats only dropped because of the DO series which are physically smaller and lighter lenses with the same focal lengths and apertures.

If you got one for 700 you would almost certainly be able to sell it on for the same money.

Thats an example. Even the other end of the scale 50mm f1.8, retails at 80 quid, pick one up for 40 and you might even make money when you sell it on assuming you keep it in good condition.

Some stuff even appreciates, the 50/1.8 mark 1 has a metal barrel, mark 2 is plastic, there's a mark 1 just finished on ebay for 100 quid. 20 quid more than retail and they stopped making them about 7 years ago.
John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
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30th Aug 06 at 05:34   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Where have you seen the 50mm 1.8 for 40 Ian?
Just keep an eye out on ebay?
Was nearly ready to pay the 80 for one.

Just had a look and you can get it for 64 BIN.
I'll keep my eye on some auctions tomorrow.

[Edited on 30-08-2006 by John]
Kerry
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30th Aug 06 at 08:48   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Ive been told Nikon are a better build

rich_cooper
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30th Aug 06 at 10:33   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

what! nikon crap lol

go canon. you know it makes sence
Kerry
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30th Aug 06 at 14:40   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

So what makes Nikon crap?
You cant make a statement without a reason
James
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30th Aug 06 at 15:13   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

My Canon 350D came yesterday, not had a chance to use it yet mind
Kerry
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30th Aug 06 at 15:29   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Look forward to seeing some pics
John
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30th Aug 06 at 15:57   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Build quality on the 350 is always moaned at by nikon users.
It feels more platsticy than nikon or more expensive canons but it's not built any worse.
And the image quality and high iso performance well outweighs that.
Kerry
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30th Aug 06 at 16:16   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Anyone seen any good deals on the 350 then?
John
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30th Aug 06 at 16:19   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

James got a good deal.
Robin
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30th Aug 06 at 17:25   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

How much do you want to spend Kerry?
Kerry
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30th Aug 06 at 17:34   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Cost isnt really an issue i just dont want to spend silly money on something il never use to its full potential

I just want a good camera that i can take good pics with and thats easy to use
Ian
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Registered: 28th Aug 99
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30th Aug 06 at 18:32   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by John
Where have you seen the 50mm 1.8 for 40 Ian?
Just keep an eye out on ebay?
Sunday night when its quiet, or look out for them not described very well. Make sure its EF not FD as well.
Ian
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30th Aug 06 at 18:33   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

If you want a solid case get a 1 series and a sore shoulder carrying it around. The consumer series stuff is perfectly robust for normal use.
Steve
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31st Aug 06 at 13:04   View Garage View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

Here are a few of options

Nikon D50
Nikon SB600 flash
Sandisk ultra2 SD card 1gig


Canon 350 or 400D
Canon 430ex flash
Sandisk Ultra 2 CF card1gig

Sony alpha 100
Sony HVL-F36AM flash
Sandisk ulta2 SD card


Then you have to think of lenses. They all do basic cheap lens around 18-55mm or you can get slightly better lenses.

PS Ian unban me please, let me back

[Edited on 31-08-2006 by Steve]
rich_cooper
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Registered: 11th Jun 06
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31st Aug 06 at 14:02   View User's Profile U2U Member Reply With Quote

quote:
Originally posted by Kerry
So what makes Nikon crap?
You cant make a statement without a reason


only said that because i have a canon

I have 2 10d's at the moment but are selling them

Think im going to get the new 400D. looks a good little camera

 
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